Have a plan: Researchers at the University of Missouri found people who developed and followed a plan during an interview had a better outcome than those who didn’t. The study also found being positive during the process was a key factor.

Have a plan: Researchers at the University of Missouri found people who developed and followed a plan during an interview had a better outcome than those who didn’t. The study also found being positive during

Don’t have wine at dinner: University of Michigan and University of Pennsylvania found applicants who ordered wine during dinner interviews were seen as less bright or not as hireable as those who did not drink alcohol.

Don’t have wine at dinner: University of Michigan and University of Pennsylvania found applicants who ordered wine during dinner interviews were seen as less bright or not as hireable as those who did not

Don’t be pregnant: A 2007 Midwestern University study found pregnant women were less likely to get recommended for jobs than those who were not pregnant. The pregnant applicant was also perceived to need more time off, miss work or quit.

Don’t be pregnant: A 2007 Midwestern University study found pregnant women were less likely to get recommended for jobs than those who were not pregnant. The pregnant applicant was also perceived to need more

Don’t be overweight: A study in the Journal of Applied Psychology found overweight women were less likely to be hired or be helped. People who were closer to their ideal body mass index were more likely to be helped or hired.

Don’t be overweight: A study in the Journal of Applied Psychology found overweight women were less likely to be hired or be helped. People who were closer to their ideal body mass index were more likely to be

Don’t be skinny: Your body weight might not impact whether you can do a job, but it can determine whether you get one. A study found people who appear emaciated or are too skinny are often discriminated against in the interview process.

Don’t be skinny: Your body weight might not impact whether you can do a job, but it can determine whether you get one. A study found people who appear emaciated or are too skinny are often discriminated

Don’t be old – or maybe not: Studies tell a different story about age. A survey by Adecco found employers are three times more likely to hire a mature worker, or someone older than 50, than millennials. But an AARP survey found people over the age of 50 often face age discrimination at work.

Don’t be old – or maybe not: Studies tell a different story about age. A survey by Adecco found employers are three times more likely to hire a mature worker, or someone older than 50, than millennials. But

Companies use Facebook to screen applicants, but are they using it correctly?

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Employers are increasingly using Facebook as another tool to research applicants, but a new study found companies are making poor assumptions based on what they see on the social media platform.

Companies often visit social media sites, such as Facebook, hoping to spot troublesome signs, inappropriate traits or glean insight into the applicant's personality or behavior. Hiring managers, however, are often mistakenly connecting personality traits they note on these sites to on-the-job behavior.

For example, a manager might raise an issue about an applicant who posts about alcohol or drug use on Facebook, thinking the applicant is irresponsible or not conscientious.

However, a North Carolina State University study found that isn't always true. The study, which was released this week, found there often is no correlation between a person who posts about alcohol and drug use and conscientiousness at work.

Due to those assumptions, good applicants might not be given the same opportunity as other job seekers. Companies could also be limiting their job pool.

"This means companies are eliminating some conscientious job applicants based on erroneous assumptions regarding what social media behavior tells us about the applicants," said Will Stoughton, a Ph.D. student at NC State and lead author of the paper.

The study found people who typically post about alcohol or drug use are extroverts, and those applicants are best suited for jobs in sales or marketing positions.

But the study did find one big red flag -- badmouthing.

"They may want to focus on eliminating candidates who badmouth others – not necessarily those who post about drinking beer," Stoughton said.